The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-04-29
WASHINGTON LETTER

iFrom our Regular correspondent
WAsHINaToN, d. c., April 25, 1887.
What the President is reported to
have said to Western Senator (Mr.
Vest, of Missouri), has been the chief
topic of conversation here for the past
two days, and has for the moment fix.
ed public attention on the question of
a denomination and reelection in 1888.
Whatever the President may have
said TO the Senator from Missouri,
whether he said anything or not, what
Mr.. Vest said on the subject, and what
either of them meant or intended by
their alleged utterances will continue
to be source of comment aud discus
sion until the nomination of 'SS is a
thing of the past
1t was dull time and the publica-
tion that the President would not ac-
cept a denomination was startling, and
naturally produced slight sensation,
or at least subject of common talk.
Everybody had something to say about
it, but everybody with experience
enough to know how these things are
done, and to be able to distinguish be-
tween the probable and the impossible,
said practically what Senator Vest and
Col. Lamont have since stated, namely,
that they do not believe that MIR.
Cleveland is working for second term
or that he has any great desire for one
but that he will probably wait until he
is asked before he either accepts or
declines, and that the time for discuss.
ing the matter has not yet arrived
Senator Vests explanation OF the
matter is that he was not correctly
quoted, but he thinks this great news
paper oak mus. have sprung from a
little acorn which he dropped in con-
versation with some friends at Cham
berlain's few days ago. These friends
were opposed to Mr.. Cleveland and de.
clared that he was working for re-
nomination, while they mentioned sew.
eral acts of his as proof of the accusa
ton. Mr. Vest remembers that he de.
INJURED very positively, and replied that
be knew that President Cleveland did
not want a second term, that he was
working for the purpose of leaving the
Government in such shape that any
good Democrat could be elected. He
thinks too, that he added by way of
Strengthening his authority, that the
President told him so himself.
Public attention is now concentrat
ing upon the National Drill which
takes place here next month. Fortu
nately the city will be out in all hei
vernal glory in the month of Nav
The foliage of 10000 trees will shade
her long, broad, smooth streets. The
parks, circles, triangles aud other open
spaces will be In full bloom of flowers
and variegated shrubbery, No city in
America can compare with Washing.
ton and its surroundings in the month
of May, and it is then that its architec
tural grandeur is seen to the best ad
vantage. The city presents the spec
tacle of a magnificent National Park
interspersed with vast public buildings
monuments, statuary and handsome
private residences, all bordered by the
placid Potomac.
And Washington is to be merry il
other ways during the month of flow
ers, as the following calendar of event:
will show. The races will take place il
May Patti will sing in May; Fore
paugh's circus will come /; the Nations
Association of Hotel Proprietors will
meet here; The reunion of the Army
of the Cumberland and the unveiling
of the Garfield statue will occur; some
other reunions are to take place, and
last but most important the grand en-
campment of citizen soldiery which
will commence ON the 23rd of May and
close on tn 30th, decoration Day"
Preparations for the Drill are going
briskly forward. The grounds around
the Washington Monument, on which
the city of tents will be spread, ia be-
ing put in condition for the camp, and
the level ellipse, half mile in circum
ference, where the drill will be held
is being surrounded by a grand stand
for spectators. This ground lies be
tween the Monument and the White
House, and is known as the "Whitt
Lot. Here the infantry, cavalry
artillery and zouave tactics will be
tested daily, and each evening there
will, be grand brigade dress parade
while on Governors Day will be the
great parade. The Chief Executive,
of large number of States will ther
/ s.l - II ii L
troops in procession.
About hundred organizations, from
the various States, will take part il
the contest, aud the indications ar
that there will be an immense con
course of visitors from all parts of the
country to witness the novel event
There will be distributed $26,5O0 il
cash prizes, besides other prizes, sucl
as gold, silver and bronze medals, spe